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6August
Photo courtesy of Manila Bulletin
GPH-MILF panels resume peace talks, agree on Kuala Lumpur meeting in September
- Aug 6, 2026
- Taher G. Solaiman
- HITS: 425
Meeting here for their 38th session, the GPH and MILF Peace Implementing Panels (PIP) signed the "Declaration of Continuity of the Partnership between the GPH and the MILF in the Implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB)," reaffirming their shared commitment to the 2014 peace accord.
Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento, who now chairs the GPH-PIP, and MILF-PIP chairperson Mohagher Iqbal led the signing, which was witnessed by Malaysian Facilitator Gen. Prof. Tan Sri Dato' Seri Panglima Ts. Haji Zulkifli bin Zainal Abidin.
The Third-Party Monitoring Team (TPMT), the body tasked by both parties to assess CAB implementation, welcomed the development, calling it a step that keeps the peace process "on track" as the Bangsamoro region approaches its first regular parliamentary elections — a milestone the TPMT described as central to the CAB's fulfillment.
Headed by former European Union diplomat Heino Marius, the TPMT said the political transition reaching this stage does not diminish the importance of finishing the normalization track, which it said still requires "continued focus and attention" across the full range of outstanding commitments.
Normalization under the CAB covers, among other things, the decommissioning of MILF forces and weapons alongside a corresponding socioeconomic package, and the conversion of government-recognized MILF camps into productive economic zones.
The TPMT reaffirmed it would continue working alongside both parties and other stakeholders toward the accord's faithful implementation, saying this serves "the benefit of the Bangsamoro people and the entire Philippines."
Special session set for Kuala Lumpur
Tuesday's meeting was described in a joint statement from the panels as marked by "mutual trust, sincerity, and renewed commitment" to the peace agreement. Both sides instructed the various GPH-MILF peace mechanisms and technical working groups (TWGs) to resume their respective activities following the pause.
As a further step to consolidate the confidence rebuilt between the two panels, they set a special meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, tentatively scheduled for September 25. At that session, the technical working group tasked with developing the CAB implementation roadmap is expected to present its terms of reference to the panels.
The resumption ends a stretch that began in March, when the MILF paused formal engagement following the resignation of then GPH-PIP chair, retired Gen. Cesar Yano.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Sarmiento to the post in July, clearing the way for Tuesday's meeting.
Time in Cotabato
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